In the coming years, the application of new DAQ controllers in which there is no hardware data histogramming will become more and more widespread in IBR-2 instruments. At the same time, the primary data presentation in the histogram form is replaced in favor of accumulation in the form of a list of individual events, which corresponds to the global trend. This will entail a certain restructuring of the Sonix+ complex. Thus, on the one hand, histograms should be kept for operative visualization, as well as for data reduction programs, which are specific for each instrument. On the other hand, the hardware sampling limitation in the construction of these histograms is removed, which is expected to lead to a significant increase in histogram size, including exceeding the limit of available virtual address space for 32-bit applications in practice. In this work we propose an approach to solve this problem. The investigation has been performed at the Frank Laboratory of Neutron Physics, Joint Institute for Nuclear Research (FLNP JINR).

The high-resolution Fourier diffractometer (HRFD) has been in routine operation since 1994 at the long-pulse neutron source, the IBR-2 reactor, in Dubna. Its fast Fourier chopper provides probably the best compromise between very high resolution in reciprocal space (Δd/d ≈ 0.001) and the intensity. For further improving intensity of TOF-diffraction pattern, a wide-aperture ring backscattering detector (BSD) has been developed on the basis of ZnS(Ag)/6LiF scintillator. BSD is designed in the form of 6 concentric rings, each of which is subdivided into 12 identical parts. The main parameters of the detector are the following: range of scattering angles is 2θ = (133 - 175) degrees, covered solid angle is Ωd ≈ 2.0 sr, average percentage absorption efficiency gets closer to 85%, geometrical contribution to resolution function does not exceed Δd/d = 0.0005. In the report the concept of the detector is described and its data acquisition system is presented. The start of operation of the detector at the HRFD is scheduled for 2024.

— Spectral intensity distributions in the form of matrices were the main form of DAQ output before the DeLiDAQ-2 controllers and N6730 digitizer were used at the IBR-2 reactor measurement facilities. In particular, they were used in the Sonix+ software package for online visualization. Because the output data in the controllers are available only in the form of a list of events, the spectral distributions (histograms) must be constructed numerically. This study adapts the software for using the controllers and their data histogramming algorithms, and discusses tests conducted at the GRAINS reflectometer (tenth beam of IBR-2) in October 2021.

The neutron Fourier diffractometer FSS (Fourier Strain Scanner) was used between 1990 and 2010 at the FRG-1 stationary reactor at the GKSS research center (Geesthacht, Germany) for the study of residual stresses in structural materials and industrial products. In 2010, the FRG-1 reactor was finally decommissioned. In this regard, the FSS diffractometer was transported to the Frank Laboratory of Neutron Physics of JINR (Dubna, Russia) in 2014 and installed on channel no. 13 of the IBR-2 pulsed reactor. The results of upgrading the instrument and further prospects for its development are presented.

The high-resolution Fourier diffractometer (HRFD) operates at the IBR-2 pulsed reactor, on which the correlation method of data registering has been implemented using a fast Fourier chopper and specialized electronics. A wide-aperture ring back-scattering detector for HRFD has been developed. The detector consists of six Z n S ( A g ) / 6 L i F-scintillation rings, each one of which is divided into 12 sections. Main parameters of this detector: covered solid angle 2 θ = ( 133 − 175 ) ∘ ; Ω d ≈ 2.0 sr; average absorption efficiency 85 %, geometric contribution to resolution Δ d / d < 0.0005. The concept of a detector and its data acquisition system are presented.

The Sonix package is the main instrument control software at the IBR-2 reactor. It was originated in the beginning of 1990s for the Neutron Spectrometer with High Resolution (beam 6A of IBR-2). Later the complex was transferred to other instruments, including those located outside Frank Laboratory of Neutron Physics. A little bit less than 20 installations are in operation now. When developing the complex, we were guided both by world trends, as well as by the specifics of our laboratory. Many important requirements were formulated by our users, therefore, they can be considered as real co-authors of the project. Besides an instrument control itself, the complex also includes remote measurement supervising subsystem (WebSonix service) and the central repository for measurement results.

This article discusses the results of parallel measurements with two-coordinate position-sensitive He(3)detectors with a delay line, which are installed on REFLEX and GRAINS neutron spectrometers of the IBR-2 pulsed reactor with the simultaneous use of three data acquisition systems: DeLiDAQ-1, DeLiDAQ-2, and a system based on the N6730 digitizer produced by CAEN.

In the Laboratory of Neutron Physics a new high-performance data acquisition system (DAQ) is being developed in the framework of the project on creation of a high-aperture backscattering detector (BSD) for the high-resolution Fourier diffractometer HRFD. The designed increase in the BSD aperture of 12.5 times and an increase in the neutron flux on the sample of 2-3 times due to employment of the new neutron guide, demand raising the neutron registration rate to ~ 3*10 7 n/s [1]. Time encoders, besides signals from the multielement scintillation detector BSD, also digitize pick-up signals from the chopper as well as of reactor startups that are transmitted to the computer in the list mode to be recorded on the disk for further processing. This has required development of new electronics and programs as the MPD-240-based DAQ system used today has the neutron registration limit on the level of ~ 10 6 n / s. Earlier, in order to increase the transmission capacity of data acquisition systems with a USB2 interface for the IBR-2 spectrometers, the FLINK USB 3.0 was developed [2] to provide links between the modules having an optical interface with a computer according to the USB 3.0 protocol. This has solved the problem of increasing the performance of the DAQ systems for all the spectrometers except those for the HRFD that has undergone modernization. This work presents the results of development of a high-performance data acquisition system on the basis of MPD-32 blocks integrated into a common system of a high-speed interblock interface and a USB 3.0 computer interface with an optical fiber extender.

Recently we have performed a comparative study of the characteristics of the data acquisition systems for the position-sensitive detectors with a delay line operating on the neutron instruments of the IBR-2 reactor. As a result, to have an optimal version of electronics we have chosen two directions of further development: the DeLiDAQ-2 system for high-flux measurements and the CAEN N6730 digitizerbased system for high-precision experiments. The study has also revealed an urgent need to integrate list mode measurements into the experiment control system on some of the neutron spectrometers. So far, the experiment control system SONIX operating on most of the IBR-2 spectrometers has received and displayed the data measured in the histogram mode. The report, besides the results of the comparative study, describes the software that is developed to solve the task of formation of events from raw data, their sorting, selecting by appropriate criteria, and histogramming as well as to be appropriate for integration into the SONIX. The proposed solutions are not limited to any specific types of electronics for PSD.

The variety of research being conducted at the instruments on the external beams of the IBR-2M pulsed fast reactor in Frank Laboratory of Neutron Physics Joint Institute for Nuclear Research (FLNP JINR) is the reason of the differences in the requirements of the detectors for these instruments. This leads to the necessity of developing a variety of detectors in the Laboratory that are used in experiments. This report reviews the neutron detection systems developed and used at the instruments on the external beams of the IBR-2M pulsed research reactor, the current status and operating features of which have been considered.

Software for a data acquisition system of modern one- and two-dimensional position-sensitive detectors with delay-line readout, which includes a software interface to a new electronic module De-Li-DAQ-2D with a USB interface, is presented. The new system after successful tests on the stand and on several spectrometers of the IBR-2 reactor has been integrated into the software complex SONIX+ [1]. The De-Li- DAQ-2D module [2] contains an 8-channel time-code converter (TDC-GPX) with a time resolution of 80 ps, field programmable gate array (FPGA), 1 Gbyte histogram memory and high-speed interface with a fiber-optic communication line. A real count rate is no less than 106 events/s. The De-Li-DAQ-2D module is implemented in the NIM standard. The De-Li-DAQ-2D module can operate in two modes: histogram mode and list mode.

Описана модернизация детекторной системы и системы управления нейтронным порошковым дифрактометром (н.п.д.) на канале ГЭК-5 реактора ВВР-ц (филиал ФГУП “НИФХИ им. Л.Я. Карпова”, Обнинск). Cоздан подключенный к персональному компьютеру аппаратно-программный комплекс, обеспечивающий сбор и накопление данных, а также управление экспериментом. Кратко описаны разработанные в ЛНФ ОИЯИ основные блоки системы автоматизации н.п.д. и управляющего программного комплекса Sonix+. Модернизация позволила увеличить светосилу дифрактометра и полностью автоматизировать процесс измерений.

A new gaseous annular sectional thermal-neutron detector for the new neutron diffractometer at the IBR-2 reactor has been designed and manufactured at the Frank Laboratory of Neutron Physics of the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research (JINR). The detector is designed to study small-volume samples at high pressure and consists of 16 sections, each one of which is divided into six independent detector elements. We present the main design features of the detector, detecting electronics, data-acquisition and visualization software, and software system for experiment management. The results of the first neutronographic experiments that were carried out with the use of the detector are also presented.

The modernization of the detector system and control system of the neutron powder diffractometer (NPD) in the GEK-5 channel of the VVR-c reactor (Obninsk Branch, Karpov Institute of Physical Chemistry) is described. The PC-connected hardware and software complex, which ensures data acquisition and storage and control of the experiments, is created. The main modules of the NPD automation system and Sonix+ control software package, designed at the Frank Laboratory of Neutron Physics at JINR, are briefly described. The modernization has made it possible to increase the luminosity of the diffractometer and completely automatize the measurement process.

In 2010 the modernization of the dosimetric control system for the refurbished IBR-2 reactor was completed. The system represents a module of rate counters that accept pulses from various detectors. The module is designed in CAMAC standard with USB interface. The software part includes a new package of programs for real-time dosimetric control, which runs under Windows XP. The system makes it possible to control the radiation situation at personnel work places, in technological premises and atmospheric emissions. Simultaneously, the control system collects and sorts the data flow, analyzes it, and stores the information into archive. An important part of the new control system is full visualization of radiation levels in real time. In case of danger, when radiation safety limits are exceeded, the system issues audio, graphical and textual warnings. The present paper describes the structure and features of the dosimetric control system for IBR-2.

Principles of arranging and design features of the WebSonix system consisting of the central website and facilities for communication with spectrometers are considered. The system allows one to reflect the actual statuses of all spectrometer components, view measurements protocols, display acquired spectra, and control the course of the experiment on the spectrometers under control of the Sonix+ software package (Windows XP operational system). The system does not depend on the spectrometer characteristics and permits simple changes of their structure and easy adaptation to special features of spectrometric data representation. The system is based on PHP and Python scripts. The GNU/Linux Debian operational system and Apache 2 web server are installed on the website computer.

The software package for the YuMO spectrometer has been updated. The MS DOS programs used before the updating are compared to the similar new programs operating in the OS-9 environment. The merits and demerits of each program are discussed. The main features of the new software are described, and the results of the long-term operation of the new software package are analyzed. It is shown that upgrading the software has improved spectrometer control.